Movable wall arrangement



Jan. 17, 196'? .1.9. ROGERS ETAL 3,298,143

MOVABLE WALL ARRANGEMENT Filed Jan. 16, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS Jan. 17, 1967 J. B. ROGERS ETAL MOVABLE WALL ARRANGEMENT Filed Jan. 16, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS RGERS CHN B.

EROME K. AGEL OHN C. BURREY QJWWQZQM JJJ ATTORNEYS Jan. 17, 1967 .1.a RoGERs ETAL ,2%M3

MOVABLE WALL ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 16, 1964 INVENTORS O G E R S ATTORNEYS Jall- 17 1967 J. B. ROGERS ETAL 3,298,143

MOVABLE WALL ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 16, 1964 INVENTORS @HN B R 38 EROME K @HN c. B

AT ORNEYS Jan. `17, 1967 J. B. ROGERS ETAL 3,298,143

` MVABLE WALL ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan. 16, 1964 INVENTORS E RS ATTORNEYS United States Patent tlice 3,293,143 Patented Jan. I7, 1967 3,298,143 MOVABLE WALL ARRANGEMENT `lohn B. Rogers, 2052 S. Fillmore, Denver, Colo. 80205;

Jerome K. Nagel, 275 S. Milwaukee, Denver, Colo.

80209; and John C. Burrey, 6907 S. Madison Way,

Littleton, Colo. 80120 Filed Jan. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 338,111 21 Claims. (Cl. 5264) This invention relates to the structural arrangement of walls which divide a building interior into various units and, in particular, it relates to a sound-proof movable wall structure adapted to easily vary the size of a room or office.

Previously, buildings have been constructed in which the room and otce sizes therein are changed by various arrangements including hinged doors, foldin-g plastic curtains, or merely lightweight walls that m-ay be manually carried to different wall connections within the room. However, such structures have not been entirely successful since they are difficult to move within the lbuilding and cannot be sufficiently sound-proofed- Moreover, when a wall of the prior art is to be moved, it is imperative that the furnishings within the room be displaced in order to clear the way `for movement of the wall. The present invention provides for either a telescoping :arrangement whereby the lower section of the wall is piv'oted thus allowing the wall of this invention to be moved without any disturbance of the room furnishings. The invention also provides for a sealing arrangement at the top and side of the wall which permits substantial acoustical isolation from one `side of the wall to the other.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a movable wal'l in which the lower portion is hinged and adapted to be lifted when the wall fis moved.

Another object is to provide a movable wall in which ythe lower portion is arranged to 'be telescoped within the upper portion when the wall is moved.

A further object is to provide a movable wall having sound-proof characteristics.

A still further object is to provide a wall capable of being moved by means of an electric motor and a sheave and cable arrangement.

These and other objects of the invention will be Afully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the movable wall which contains a door;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal section taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sertion taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional View taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical section taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is l'a vertical section taken along line 8-8 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a vertical section similar to that of FIG- URE 8 of a modified form of the invention;

FIGURE l() is a detail of the cable and sheave arrangement used in moving the wall;

FIGURE 1l is an enlarged vertical section taken along line 11-11 of FIGUR'E 2; and

FIGURE 12 is a vertical section similar to that of FIGURE 5 of a modified form of the sealing arrangement of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings for a detailed descripti-on of the invention, it will be seen that the wa'll of this invention indicated by the numeral 10 contains a truss portion 12 supported for rolling movement by means of carriages 14 along parallel rails 16 located at each of the lopposite upper ends of the wall and `from which .the wall is suspended. The wall comprises an upper truss portion indicated generally as 12, an intermediate portion 18 and a lower portion 20 adapted to retract by either affording telescopic movement within the intermediate section 18 or allowing pivotal movement in relation to the said intermediate section of the wall. The area 20 can be modied as desired to contain a door 21 therein. The aforesaid truss portion 12 contains two electrical motors 22 and 23 centrally mounted one above the other. The lower motor 23, as will be shown later, is adapted to selectively permit the lifting or lowering of the lower portion of the wall thereby avoiding any contact with tables, chairs or other furnishings upon movement of the wall 10. The upper motor 22 is `adapted to drive the wall 10` along the substantially parallel rails 16 =by means to be discussed later.

Upper portion 12 of the wall 10 comprises two parallel exterior steel surfaces :24a and b, substantially six inches apart and secured together at the top and bottom by braces 26. The .middle section 18 includes two exterior steel sheets 28a and b, and two substantially parallel inner sheets 3ll'a and b spaced a suitable distance from the inner surface of the exterior steel sheets 28a and b, all of which are welded or otherwise permanently attached at their upper ends to the brace 26, thus maintaining a spaced and substantially parallel relationship therebetween. The lower ends of the pairs of parallel sheets 28 and 34) are preferably secured to the :bracket members 32a and b both of which extend beyond the edges of exterior sheets 28a and b. However, these brackets 32a, b have their inner sides flush with each of the respective inner steel sheets 36a and b. Lower wall portion 20 also comprises preferably two substantially parallel steel sheets 34a and 34h spaced from each other -a-t each end by bracket ele- .ments 36 and 318. In the preferred embodiment as shown in FIGURE 8, the lower portion 2l) is designed so `as to protrude a short distance into the channel indicated at 40 within the intermediate portion 18 and between the inner surfaces of the steel sheets 30a and b. In this embodiment, the lower portion 20 is adapted for telescopic movement within the intermediate portion 18.

In order to provide substantially complete audio or acoustical isolation, the movable wall 1G is provided with a sealing arrangement at both the top and the sides thereof. Referring in particular to FIGURES 1, 4, 5 and 6, the wall 10 has two spaced sealing units indicated as 56a rand b mounted within the upper truss portion in a `end to the sheaves 112x and b.

manner so as to engage the ceiling. However, it should be pointed out that only one ysealing arrangement may be utilized if so desired on the upper tnuss area for positive engagement with the ceiling. Also located in the truss portion near its lower edge at each side thereof and lateral to each side of the motor 23, are two additional sealing units 58a and SSb for inserting audioisolation -at the side of the wall.

The two upper sealing units 56a and b (FIGURE 6) 4contain a spring 57 positioned between the frame bar 60 and the lever 62 pivotally mounted to a `frame element at 64. A neoprene seal 66 or a seal of some suitable `similar substance is permanently attached at one end to the frame element indicated at 67 and is operatively connected near its other end to the lever 62 indicated at 68. A rod 70 is positioned within the spring 57 and at one end is operatively connected to the lever `62 indicated at 72. The rod 70 extends through an aperture in the frame bar 60 and is connected at its other end to cable '7l-il. Other reinforcing frame elements may be present and some are illustrated ibut, obviously, required no explanation other than whas has already been presented.

The two side sealing units 58a and Sb are similar as is shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. Here, both units contain a spring 76 positioned between the frame member 78 and lever 00 which is ypivotally connected to the frame at 82. Seal 84 is permanently attached at one end to a frame element at 86 and is `operatively connected at the other end to lever 80 at 80. A :rod 90 is positioned within spring 76, being operatively connected at one end to the lever S at 92 and extending through an aperture in the frame 78 until it is connected to the end plate 94. It should be noted that the end plate 94 joins the two plates 96a and b, 'and maintains them in substantially parallel relationship. A pair of L-shaped brackets 98a and b are mounted adjacent to each other on the frame indicated generally as 100 and said L-shaped brackets contain longitudinal slots 102 in which a stub shaft 104 is positioned. The stub shaft 104 passes through bearing 105 'positioned in sheave 106 and through both of the plates 96a and b which are positioned lateral to each side of the sheave 106 but just inside the L-shaped brackets 98a and b. It is, of course, easily seen that when the stub shaft 104 slides in slot 102 both the sheave 106 and the plates 96a and b are also moved in the direction taken by the stub shaft 104. The members indicated as 108a, b, c and d are merely reinforcing frame elements shown to clarify the drawing. Of course, other frame elements may also be added in `relation to both the top and side sealing units to insure sound structural 4assembly some of which have been illustrated but require no detailed description.

Disengagement of the sealing units from contact with the ceiling and side walls and elevation of the lower portion 20 of wall 10 is accomplished by means of a separate drive mechanism shown in FIGURE 7 which includes the reversible electric motor 23 and speed 4reducer 110 both positioned on the shelf 109 which, in turn, is mounted on one of the frame elements indicated generally as 111. Other frame elements such as 115g to g, are also shown and obviously do not need to be explained further. The drive mechanism also includes a pair of sheaves 112a and b operatively connected at one side to the speed reducer at 114 and on the other side to the shaft 116 which is rotatably positioned in the mount 11S which, in turn, is permanently positioned on one of the frame structures indicated generally as 115. Other parts of the drive mechanism are the sliding sheaves 106e and 106b already referred to above in the discussion on the side sealing units, the fixed sheaves 107a and b shown vin FIGURES 1 and 8 mounted on the bracket elements 36 which is part of the lower portion 20 of wall 10, and a pai-r of cables 74a and 74E-b operative-ly attached at one Cable 74a extends laterally from the sheave 112e toward one side of the wall and cable Fl'lb extends laterally from the sheave 112b toward the opposite side of the wall 10. Since both cables '74a and b perform the same `function and involve the sa-me structural units, reference will henceforth be limited to cable 74a, which after passing laterally toward the side of the wall 10, cable 74a passes over the sliding sheave 10641 and thence continuing in an upward direction until it connects to the rod 70.

In operation, the electric motor 23 will cause rotation 0f sheaves 112er and 112b winding the cables 74a and b therearound, Referring specifically to cable 74a although cable 74h performs an identical function, it is clear that upon rotation of the same around the sheave 1126', the cable 74a will force the sheave 106rz, the plates 96 a, b and the stub shaft 104 along the slot 102 in a direction toward the center of wall 10. This, in turn, will force the rod 90 toward the center of the wall which also pulls the lever of side sealing unit 58a in the same direction. This, of course, compresses the spring 76 and removes the sealing elements 84; from contact with the side walls. Cable 74a, as it is shortened, also disengages the top sealing element 66 from contact with the ceiling in a somewhat similar manner as the side sealing elements 84 are disengaged. The lever 62 of top sealing unit 56a is pivotally lowered when the cable 74a is shortened thus compressing spring 57 and pulling sealing element 66 from the ceiling. As has been noted above, in the preferred embodiment, the lower portion 20 of the wall 10 is adapted for telescopic movement within the intermediate wall area 1S. It should be remembered that after `caving the sheave 106a, the cable 74a passes around the sheave 107g, which is attached to the top of the lower wall area 20 by bracket 36a. Accordingly, when the cable '74a is wound around the sheave 1125.', the cable 74a being operatively connected to sheave 107g will force both it and the lower wall 20 upwards within the intermediate wall area 18 in a timed sequence after the ceiling and side sealing units have been released.

When it is desired to achieve a sealing effect the reverse of the foregoing procedure is performed. The motor 23 is reversed and cable 74a is unwound from the sheave 112:1. This -relieves the tension on spring 76 within sealing unit 58a and forces the sealing element 84 into contact `with the side wall. Similarly, the tension on spring 57 within the sealing unit 56a is relieved and the sealing element 66 is thus forced into contact with the ceiling. Lower wall 20 then slides out of its position from within middle wall area 18 and forms a contact with the floor.

In another embodiment shown in FIGURE 9, the upper ends of parallel structures 28a, b and 30a and b are secured together in spaced relationship by the brackets 39a and b and are similarly secured together at their lower ends by bracket members 42a and 42b. Both outer steel sheets 23a and 2-b are pivotally connected at their upper ends to the bracket member 26 indicated at 41a, b. The lower wall portion 20 of wall 10 also contains a similar construction as does intermediate wall portion 18, since it contains the parallel outer steel sheets 48a, b and the inner spaced parallel sheets 50a and b. These pairs of spaced parallel steel sheets are attached together at each end by the bracket members 52a, b and 54a and b. The upper ends of the inner steel sheets 50a and b in the lower portion are pivotally connected at 51a and SIb to the lower ends of equipment structures 30a and b of the intermediate portion 12 of wall 10. This structure defines a channel 40 which extends from the top of intermediate wall lportion 13 clear to the bottom end of the lower wall portion 20. Here, the sheaves 107a and b shown in FIGURES l and 9 are now hingedly mounted to the end member 55 at the position 61 located on the bottom of the lower portion 20 of wall 10. In operation, the ceiling and side sealing units are actuated in the same manner as in the preferred embodiment mentioned above; however, as the cable 74a is shortened by being wound around the sheave 112g this lifts the sheave 107g upwards to a suitable distance on the intermediate portion 18 of the wall 10 because it is hingedly connected to the lower wall at l61. At the same time the wall area 20 and the intermediate wall 18 are folded outwardly at the hinge connection 51a and 51b between said lower and intermediate wall areas. Similarly, the hinge connection between the intermediate wall area 18 and upper wall 12 permit the said intermediate wall to fold outwardly at the hinge 41a, b. When the cable 74a is released from sheave 112a, the reverse operation occurs and the sealing Iunits engage the wall and ceiling and the lower wall again contact the floor thus forming a strong solid sound-proof wall. This discussion has been limited to an operation involving cable 74a, but it must be remembered the same operation also applies simultaneously to cable 74h.

A modified versi-on of the side sealing units 58a and 58b is shown in FIGURE 12. This embodiment of the aforesaid side sealing units has been found to be a desirable innovation when the side of the movable wall is adjacent to a folding wall, indicated generally as 160. Since the folding wall 160 does not form .a permanent and rigid surface, it would be impractical to utilize the side sealing un-its 58a and b as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 if complete audio or acoustical isolation is to be maintained. This is so because the exibility of folding wall 160 would not permit a proper engagement between the side sealing units 58a, b and the folding wall 160. Referring to FIGURE l2, it will be noted that the spring 76 is positioned between a frame element 78, not shown, `as in FIG- URES 4 and 5 and a bushing 162 which is located on the interior side of the frame member 108C and held in position by the lock nut 164. A continuous hinge 166 is Vriveted or welded to the frame ltlSd as at the locations 16851 and 168b and contains the joints 170e, b, c, d and e. The seal 172 is attached to both sides of lthe frame element 108C at 17411, b and may be constructed of a flexible material, such as a neoprene sheet or other similar substances. A rubbery foam substance 176, such as neoprene foam, is mounted between `the seal 172 and the hinge 166 extending essentially from joint 1701/) to joint 17M. The clip screws 178:1, b are adapted to hold bot-h seal 172 and the foam 176 in their proper positions. The rod 90 is operatively connected at one end to the hinge 166 at the joint 170eI and extends through aligned apertures in the frame elements 108e and 10851 to connect with the end plate 94 as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.

The mechanism for engaging or disengaging seal 172 with the flexible folding side wall 160` is the same as that which has been fully explained above in connection with the side sealing units 58a, b. However, it should be noted that the novel hinge arrangement with a flexible seal and the foam substance positioned therebetween as set forth in this embodiment will provide an engagement with the folding side wall much more expansive and with much greater tension than was provided in the side sealing units 58a and 5817. The dotted lines in FIGURE l2 show the sealing unit of this embodiment as it would appear when in a retracted position.

Referring in particular to FIGURES l and 2, the structure which renders the wall 10 movable will now be described in detail. It will be noted that the wall supporting rails 16 are attached to a suitable overhead structure such as the frame member 120 and constitute steel beams having -upper and lower flanges. Carriages 14 at opposite ends of the wall are suspended from the lower flanges of the rails 16 andare adapted for rolling movement in the direction of the rail 16 .and are adapted for rolling movement in the direction of the rail 16 length. Truss wall portion 12 extends upwards at each opposite end and is welded or otherwise permanently connected .at both of said ends to carriage side walls 122.

Each carriage 14 comprises a pair of side walls 122 suitably interconnected at each end by the end plates 125 which maintain a spaced parallel relationship between the carriage side walls 122. Rotatably mounted in a central portion of the carriage 14 near the top edge thereof and adjacent to each other, are a pair of sheaves 135 and 137. Carriage 14 also includes a pair of trolleys 124 and 126 mounted at opposite ends thereof in supporting relation to the carriages 14 lby the nut and bolt arrangement 123. Both trolleys comprise a pair of rectangular side plates 128 which are maintained in position and in substantially parallel lrelationship to one another by the aforesaid nut and bolt arrangement 123 which also connects them to carriage 14.

A pair of stub shafts 130a and 130]] are located at opposite ends of each trolley at the top edge thereof and a roller 132 is journalled for rotation on each stub shaft. The rollers 132 roll along the upper surface of the lower anges of the said steel beams 16. Additional roller assemblies 134 4are attached at opposite ends of each trolley side plate 128 and are adapted to ride along the edge of the lower flange of said steel beams 16 in order to insure that the trolleys will maintain a proper position on said steel beams 16.

The mechanism util-ized in actually moving the wall 10 along the Arails 16 comprises a reversible electric motor 22, a speed reducer 136 both mounted on a shelf 138 which, in turn, is mounted on the frame elements such as 140 and 141 within the upper wall 12. Also included as part of the wall moving mechanism are the pair of sheaves 142g, b operatively connected `at 144 to the speed reducer 136 and on the other side 4to the shaft 146 which is rotatably positioned in the mount 148 yattached to the frame element 149. Additional structures involved are the two pairs of sheaves 150a and b, lrotatably mounted one pair at each side edge of the truss portion 12 on the shaft 151 which, in turn, is positioned in the mounts 152e and b, the adjacent sheaves 135 and 137 mounted within each of the carriages 14 and the two cables indicated as 153 yand 154, as best shown in FIGURES 2 and l0.

Cables 153 and 154 both involve the same types of structure, follow the same paths and have the same function only in an opposite relationship. Accordingly, each cable will be discussed separately.

Cable 153 is permanently attached to a fixed frame structure at one end 155 of the said parallel steel beam rails 16 and extends just underneath the lower flange of said steel 'beam 16 parallel thereto, until it passes over sheave 135 within carriage 14 and, then, continues in a downward fashion and around sheave 150e mounted below the carriage sheave 135 where its direction is abruptly changed so .as to now proceed longitudinally within the upper or truss portion 12 of wall 10 where it passes operatively at least one revolution around the sheave 142:1 and b and then continues longitudinally with the truss portion 12, until it passes under sheave 150b located at the opposite end of wall 10 where it continues in an upward fashion .around sheave 137 mounted in carriage 14 located at the opposite end of wall 10, from whence cable 153 began and then continues parallel to the steel beam rail 1-6 until it reaches a final point where it is permanently anchored to a suitable frame structure at 158. Cable 154 is permanently attached to a frame member at 157 and is arranged similarly to cable 153 only in an opposed manner. In other words, cable 154 continues from its origin at 157 on the opposite side of the wall from which cable 153 originates at position 155, and continues parallel to the rail 16, where it passes around the sheaves 135 within carriage 14. Then it continues in a downward fashion, passing around sheave 151m, continuing longitudinally within the truss portion of wall 10' operatively around sheave 142a and b at least one revolution, continuing longitudinally until it also passes underneath sheave 150b located at the other end of the wall 10 and then continuing in an upward manner around sheave 137 within carriage 14 located at the opposite end of wall from whence cable 154 began and then continues parallel to the steel beam rail 16 until it reaches it anc-hor point at the end of the parallel lrail indicated as 156.

Attention is now directed to FIGURE 11 of the drawings wherein a detail of the sound trap boxes is shown. In order to insure that a complete audio isolation occurs on each side of the movable wall 10, a sound trap box 130 is permanently mounted by welding or otherwise on the building ceiling indicated generally as 182 and the frame structure indicated as 184. The box 18) is also mounted to the frame elements 183 and 185 by screws 186g, b. The sound trap boxes 180 extend along the entire length of the trolley rails 16 on both sides of the movable wall 10 and are closed at each end. They completely enclose the aforesaid rails 16 and the trolley carriages 14, which are adapted to ride along the said rails. The metal structure 183 is riveted or welded, or otherwise attached, to the exterior side walls 122 of the carriage 14 and approximately between the sheaves 135 and 137 in FIGURE 2. A sheet of neoprene 190 and the like is cut to fit flush against the interior surfaces of the sound box 180. The aforesaid sheet of fitted neoprene 190 is held in a correct position within the sound box 1S@ by a holding element 192 and screws 1%.

In operation, a complete acoustical separation in maintained between the two sides of the movable wall 19 because as the carriage 14 moves along rails 16, the neoprene 190 sweeps along the interior surfaces of the sound trap box 184i in a manner to substantially isolate one side of the wall from the other. Since the sound box 18@ completely encloses the rails 16 and the carriages 14, the flushly fitted neoprene 190 acting against the sound trap box wall prevents any air from passing from one side of the wall to the other. Consequently, a suitable acoustic separation of one side of the wall from t'ne other side is obtained.

It should be noted that the electric motor 22 cannot be energized until the lower wall portion 20 has been raised a suitable distance, at which position the lower wall portion trips a switch allowing the said motor 22 to be energized. This is to prevent movement of the wall until the sealing units are disengaged and the lower wall section is in a raised position. It is obvious, however, that movement of wall 10 involves the electric motor 22 which, upon being energized, rotates the two sheaves 142a and b. Since the two cables 153 and 154 are permanently attached to the frame elements at both ends indicated at points 155, 156, 157 and 158, they cannot be moved and, therefore, the energy is transmitted via cables 153 and 154 to wall sheaves 151m and b, and the respective carriage sheaves 135 and 137 to the trolleys 124 which move the wall in the direction of force applied. In order to reverse the wall direction, the electric motor 22 is merely reversed and the opposite of the above process will, of course, occur. The cable and sheave arrangement as just described moves the wall 10 in a smooth, continuous manner in the desired direction with no binding on either side. This is due to the cables 153 and 154 crossing over within the truss portion of the wall and becoming fixed on the opposite side from whence they both started.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various chauves may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and, therefore, the invention is not limited by that which is illustrated in the drawing and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A movable wall supported for travel between and along a pair of spaced parallel rails comprising:

a pair of carriages mounted for rolling movement along the length of said rails;

a wall having upper and lower portions positioned between said -rails and attached to said carriages for rolling movement therewith along said rails, the lower portion of said wall being connected to the upper portion in such a manner to allow the lower` portion to retract in an upward directionrelative to said upper portion;

a first drive means carried by said wall and being operatively connected to drive the carriages along the said rails; and,

a second drive means carried by said wall for raising the lower portion of the wall prior to movement of said wall along the rails.

2. A movable wall as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a sound trap box extends along the length of the said parallel rails and mounted so as to enclose the said rails and said carriages which are adapted for roliing movement therealong; and,

an elastic material mounted on each side of the said carriages extending laterally therefrom and tted so as to be in constant sweeping contact with the interior sides of the said sound trap boxes providing a substantiaily complete acoustical separation between one side of said wall from the other side.

3. A movable wall as set forth in claim 1, wherein: Y

the first drive means comprises a first reversible electric motor mounted on said wall; and,

a first cable and sheave arrangement positioned on the wall and within the carriages forming a driving connection between both carriages and the said first motor, said first cable and sheave arrangement upon energizing the first motor being adapted to move the carriages simultaneously along the parallel rails thus also moving the wall which is attached to said carriages.

4. A movable wall as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

the cable and sheave arrangement comprises a pair of driving sheaves operatively connected to said first motor;

rst and second pairs of sheaves, said first pair of sheaves being rotatably mounted lateral to the said driving sheaves at the side of said wall and said second pair of sheaves rotatably mounted lateral to said drivingsheaves on the opposite side of said wall;

a pair of carriage sheaves rotatably mounted longitudinally adjacent each other on each carriage; and,

a pair of cables one each being permanently fixed at one end of each parallel rail, said cables connecting each of the said sheaves by passing adjacent to said rails around one of the carriage sheaves down around the first and second sheaves mounted at the side of the wall thence crossing to the opposite side of the wall by passing within the said wall around the driving sheaves at least one revolution continuing across the wall around the remaining first and second sheaves upward around the remaining carriage sheave and then continuing adjacent the rail in the original direction and each cable permanently fixed at the end of the rail on the opposite side from its origination, said drive sheaves being adapted to rotate upon energizing the rst motor thus transmitting moving energy to both carriages through the said cable and sheave arrangement.

5. A movable wall as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

the second drive means for raising the lower portion of the wall comprises a second reversible electric motor mounted on the upper portion of said wall and adjacent the first electric motor for eifecting a longitudinal movement of the said wall;

a second cable and sheave arrangement positioned on said upper wall portion operatively connected to the lower wall section and to the said second electric motor, said second cable and sheave arrangement upon energizing the second motor being adapted to raise the lower section of the wall with respect to the said remaining wall section.

6. A movable wall supported for travel between and along a pair of spaced parallel rails comprising:

a pair of carriages mounted for rolling movement along the length of said rails;

a wall having upper and lower portions, positioned be- 9 tween said rails and attached to said carriages for rolling movement therewith along said rails the lower portion of said wall being connected to the upper portion in such a manner to allow the lower portion to retract in an upward direction relative to said upper portion;

a movable sealing means mounted on each end of said wall and along the top thereof adapted to be moved into sealing position to form a substantially complete acoustical isolation from one side of the wall to the other;

a first drive means mounted on the said wall and being operatively connected to drive the carriages along the said rails; and,

a second drive means for moving said sealing means to an unsealing position and for raising the lower portion of the wall prior to movement of said wall along the rails.

7. A movable wall as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

the rst drive means comprises a rst reversible electric motor mounted on said wall; and,

a rst cable and sheave arrangement positioned on the wall and within the carriages forming a driving connection between both carriages and the said first motor, said rst cable and sheave arrangement upon energizing the first motor being adapted to move the carriages simultaneously along the parallel rails thus also moving the wall which is attached to said carriages.

8. A movable wall as set forth in claim '7, wherein:

the cable and sheave arrangement comprises a pair of driving sheaves operatively connected to said first motor;

first and second pairs of sheaves, said rst pair of sheaves being rotatably mounted lateral to the said driving sheaves at the side of said wall and said second pair of sheaves rotatably mounted lateral to said driving sheaves on the opposite side of said wall;

a pair of carriage sheaves rotatably mounted longitudinally adjacent each other on each carriage; and,

a pair of cables one each being permanently fixed at one end of each parallel rail, said cables connecting each of the said sheaves by passing adjacent to said rails around one of the carriage sheaves down around the rst and second sheaves mounted at the side of the wall thence crossing to the opposite side of the wall by passing on the said wall around the driving sheaves at least one revolution continuing across the wall around the remaining first and second sheaves upward around the remaining carriage sheave and then continuing adjacent the rail in the original direction, and each cable permanently Xed at the end of the rail on the opposite side from its origination, said drive sheaves being adapted to rotate upon energizing the rst motor thus transmitting moving energy to both carriages through the said cable and sheave arrangement.

9. A movable wall as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

the sealing means at each side of the said wall comprises a -continuous multiple jointed hinge connected to a frame element within said movable wall;

an elastic sealing element positioned exteriorly and around the said hinge and attached to a frame element within the said wall;

an elastic foam substance is mounted between the said hinge and the said elastic sealing element;

a rod attached at one end to the hinge and forming an operative connection at the other end with said means for moving the sealing device to an unsealing posisition; and,

a spring mounted around the said rod between a bushing and a frame element within said wall, said spring adapted to force the hinge and the elastic seal attached thereto into contact with an adjacent surface.

10. A movable wall as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

each of said sealing means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on the said wall;

a seal permanently attached at one end to a frame element in said movable wall .and at the other end to the pivotal end of said lever;

a spring mounted between the lever at its pivotal end and a frame element in said wall, said spring adapted to force the lever and the seal attached thereto into contact with an adjacent surface; and,

a rod positioned inside and the: said spring being attached at one end to the said lever and forming an operative connection at the other end with said means for moving the sealing device to an unsealing position.

11. A movable wall as set forth in claim 10 wherein:

the means for moving said sealing means to an unsealing position and raising the lower section of the wall comprises a second reversible electric motor mounted on said wall adjacent the first electric motor for eiiecting a longitudinal movement of said wall; and,

a second cable and sheave arrangement positioned on said wall operatively connected respectively to each of said movable sealing means to the lower wall section and to the said second electric motor, said second cable and sheave arrangement upon energizing the said second motor being adapted to move the seals of said sealing means to an unsealing position and to raise the lower section of the said wall prior to movement of said wall along the rails.

l2. A movable wall as set forth in claim 11 wherein:

the second cable and sheave arrangement comprises a pair of drive sheaves operatively connected to the said second motor;

first and second pairs of sliding sheaves, said rst pair of sheaves being rotatably mounted in a longitudinal slot lateral to the said driving sheaves within said wall and said second pair of sheaves rotatably mounted in a longitudinal slot. lateral to said driving sheaves on the opposite side of said wall, both of said first and second sliding sheaves being operatively connected to the said side sealing means;

a pair of fixed sheaves rotatably mounted one on each side of the top of the said lower wall section below the said first and second sliding sheaves; and,

a pair of cables one of which is anchored to one of said drive sheaves and the other being anchored to the remaining drive sheave, each of said cables passing laterally toward opposite sides of said wall around the respective first and second sliding sheaves downward around the fixed sheaves mounted on said lower wall section then upward where they become anchored to the sealing means mounted at the top of the said wall, said drive sheaves adapted to be rotated upon energizing said second motor thus coiling each cable thereupon forcing the sliding sheaves to disengage the side sealing means and at the same time disengaging the top sealing means and raising said lower wall portion prior to movement of the said wall along the rails.

13. A movable wall supported for travel between and along a pair of spaced parallel rails comprising:

a pair of carriages mounted for rolling movement along the length of said rails;

a wall having an upper hollow portion and a lower portion positioned between said rails and attached to said carriages for rolling movement therewith along said rails the lower portion of Said wall being adapted to be raised in a telescoping relation with respect to the upper section of said wall;

a movable sealing means mounted on each end of said wall and along the top thereof adapted to be moved into a sealing position to form a substantially complete acoustical isolation from one side of the wall to the other;

a Wall drive means mounted on the said wall and being operatively connected to drive the carriages along the said rails; and,

a means for moving said sealing means to an unsealing position and for raising the lower portion of the wall in a telescoping movement relative to the remaining portion of said wall.

14. A movable wall as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

the wall drive means comprises a first reversible electric motor mounted on said wall; and,

a first cable and sheave arrangement positioned on the Wall and within the carriages forming a driving connection between both carriages and the said first motor, said first cable and sheave arrangement upon energizing the first motor being adapted to move the carriages simultaneously along the parallel rails thus also moving the wall which is attached to said carriages.

15. A movable wall as set forth'in claim 14, wherein:

the cable and sheave arrangement comprises a pair of driving sheaves operatively connected to said rst motor;

first and second pairs of sheaves, said first pair of sheaves being rotatably mounted lateral to the said driving sheaves at the side of said wall and said second pair of sheaves rotatably Vmounted lateral to said driving sheaves on the opposite side of said wall;

a pair of carriage sheaves rotatably mounted longitudinally adjacent each other on each carriage; and,

a pair of cables one each being permanently fixed at one end of each parallel rail, said cables connecting each of the said sheaves by passing adjacent to said rails around one of the carriage sheaves down around the rst and second sheaves mounted at the side of the wall thence crossing to the opposite side of the wall by passing on the rail wall around the driving sheaves at least one revolution continuing across the wall around the remaining first and second sheaves upward around the remaining carriage sheave and then continuing adjacent the rail in the original direction and each cable permanently fixed at the end of the rail on the opposite side from its origination, said drive sheaves being adapted to rotate upon energizing the first motor thus transmitting moving energy to both carriages through the said cable and sheave arrangement.

16. A movable wall as set forth in claim lid, wherein:

each of said sealing means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on the said wall;

a seal permanently attached at one end to a frame element in said movable wall and at the other end to the pivotal end of said lever;

a spring mounted between the lever at its pivotal end and a frame element in said wall, said spring adapted to force the lever and the seal attached thereto into contact with an adjacent surface; and,

a rod positioned inside the said spring being attached at one end to the said lever and forming an operative connection at the other end with said means for moving the sealing device to an unsealing position. l

17. A movable wall as set forth in claim 16, wherein:

the means for moving said sealing means to an unsealing position and raising the lower section of the wall in a telescoping movement comprises a second reversible electric motor mounted on said wall adjacent the first electric motor for effecting a longitudinal movement of said wall; and,

a second cable and sheave arrangement positioned on said wall operatively connected respectively to each of said movable sealing means to the lower wall section and to the said second electric motor, said second cable and sheave arrangement upon energizing the said second motor being adapted to move the seal of said sealing means to an unsealing position and to raise the lower portion of the wall in i2 a telescoping movement relative to the remaining portion of said wall.

f8. A movable wall as set forth in claim 17, wherein:

the second cable and sheave arrangement comprises a pair of drive sheaves operatively connected to the said second motor;

rst and second pairs of sliding sheaves, said first pair of sheaves being rotatably mounted in a longitudinal slot lateral to the said driving sheaves within said wall and said second pair of sheaves rotatably mounted in a longitudinal slot lateral to said driving sheaves on the opposite side of said wall, both of said first and second sliding sheaves being operatively connected to the said side sealing means;

a pair of fixed sheaves rotatably mounted one on each side of the top of the said lower wall section below the said first and second sliding sheaves; and,

a pair of cables one of which is anchored to one of said drive sheaves and the other being anchored to the remaining drive sheave, each of said cables passing laterally toward opposite sides of said wall around the respective first and second sliding sheaves downward around the fixed sheaves mounted on said lower wail section then upward where they become anchored to the sealing means mounted at the top of the said wall, said drive sheaves adapted to be rotated upon energizing said second motor thus coiling each cable thereupon forcing the sliding sheaves to disengage the side sealing means and at the same time disengaging the top sealing means and raising the lower wall portion in a telescoping movement relative to the remaining portion of said wall prior to movement of sai-d Wall along the rails.

19. A movable wall supported for travel between and along a pair of spaced parallel rails comprising:

a pair of carriages mounted for rolling movement along the length of said rails;

a wall having an upper hollow portion and a lower portion positioned between said rails and attached to said carriages for rolling movement therewith along said rails, horizontal hinge means connecting the lower and upper portions of the wall in such a manner that the lower portion is adapted to be raised in a folding movement with respect to the remaining section of said wail;

a movable sealing means mounted on each end of said wall and along the top thereof adapted to be moved into a sealing position to form a substantially complete acoustical isolation from one side of the wall to the other;

a rst drive means mounted on the said wall and being operatively connected to drive the -carriages along the said rails; and,

a means for moving said sealing means to an unseal ing position and for raising the lower portion of the wall in a folding movement relative to the remaining portion of said wall.

25D. A movable wall as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

the said wall is partitioned into an upper section, an

intermediate section and a lower section, said intermediate section being pivotally connected to the upper section and said lower section being pivotally connected to said intermediate section, said wall being adapted for a folding movement and, wherein;

the first drive means comprises a first reversible electric motor mounted on said wall; and

a first cable and sheave arrangement positioned on the wall and within the carriages forming a driving connection between both carriages and the said first motor, said first cable and sheave arrangement upon energizing the first motor being adapted to move the carriages simultaneously along the parallel rails thus also moving the wall which is attached to said carriages.

13 14 21. A movable wall as set forth in claim 20, wherein: position and to raise the lower portion in a foldthe means for moving said sealing means to an uning movement relative to the remaining portion of sealing position and raising the lower section of the said wall. wall in a folding movement comprises a second reversible electric motor mounted on said wall ad- 5 References Cited by tlhe Examiner jacent the rst electric motor for effecting a longi- UNITED STATES PATENTS tudinal movement of said Wall; and, a second cable and sheave arrangement positioned on otn said wall operatively connected respectively to each 3107400 10/1963 Aol on 269 of said movable sealing means to the lower wall 10 n son 5 section and to the said second electric motor, FRANKL ABBOTT Primary Examiner said second cable and sheave arrangement upon energizing the said second motor being adapted R- A. STENZEL, Assistant Examiner. to move the said sealing means to an unsealing 

1. A MOVABLE WALL SUPPORTED FOR TRAVEL BETWEEN AND ALONG A PAIR OF SPACED PARALLEL RAILS COMPRISING: A PAIR OF CARRIAGES MOUNTED FOR ROLLING MOVEMENT ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAID RAILS; A WALL HAVING UPPER AND LOWER PORTIONS POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID RAILS AND ATTACHED TO SAID CARRIAGES FOR ROLLING MOVEMENT THEREWITH ALONG SAID RAILS, THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID WALL BEING CONNECTED TO THE UPPER PORTION IN SUCH A MANNER TO ALLOW THE LOWER PORTION TO RETRACT IN AN UPWARD DIRECTION RELATIVE TO SAID UPPER PORTION; A FIRST DRIVE MEANS CARRIED BY SAID WALL AND BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO DRIVE THE CARRIAGE ALONG THE SAID RAILS; AND, A SECOND DRIVE MEANS CARRIED BY SAID WALL FOR RAISING THE LOWER PORTION OF THE WALL PRIOR TO MOVEMENT OF SAID WALL ALONG THE RAILS. 